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Arrival in NYC on QM 2
June 30th, Wednesday - Last day at sea, by TD
 DW
& Deb were up early again this morning, drinking coffee with
the earliest risers. It’s quiet on the ship at 6 in the
morning. I ate alone in one of the window alcoves before the
crowds arrived. By the time AD is awake and I take him to eat,
there is hardly any available tables. We usually find someone
to talk to while he eats. There are many interesting stories
to be heard from the other passengers. Most people who venture
to travel on this ship have plenty to tell. Unfortunately, you
can get stuck with some obnoxious personalities too.
 The
schedule for the day is pretty slim. I finished my second
Isabel Allende novel this morning and need another novel. We
spent time shopping for QM2 memorabilia to spend our ship
credit on. At 11, Daniel and I competed in the Pub Trivia
Quiz. DW and Deb ended up joining another team and scored
higher than we did. The questions were much harder today. Our
team got 10 out of 20 correct. It was fun anyway.
We ate lunch together in Kings Court. Deb & DJ played in a
bridge tournament while DW took Claire to Bingo. I walked 6 Km
around the 7th floor. It was a beautiful day with the sun
shining and wind slight. I was really sore from today’s walk.
The rest of my afternoon was spent on a lounge chair, trying
to read and people watch. DW went to see another of the crummy
movies, “Haunting”. We just can’t believe the selections,
especially when the director of the AFI was on board this
week.
Our last dinner was eaten in the Britannia Dining Room. AD &
PJ left when their food came. Both had ordered the strip steak
which came rare instead of medium. Room service was what they
wanted in the first place. We played cards in our room after
eating. The boys were bribed with money for the arcade to
leave us alone. Kidszone had a going away party this afternoon
that ended the activities at 5, so they were bored claiming
nothing to do. Our bags were easily packed. We’ve decided to
“self help” or carry our own bags off tomorrow. That way we
get to leave first instead of hours later.
July 1st, Thursday - Docking in NYC, by TD
 Anticipation
of our arrival in NYC woke us up at a ridiculous hour this
morning. (That and going to bed at 9:15) At 4, I couldn’t go
back to sleep. The virtues of 25 hour day are greatly
overrated. 5 of the 6 nights, we have gone to bed setting the
clocks back an hour. It’s an interesting way to make up the
time zone changes as you sail across the Atlantic but really
doesn’t do much for “jetlag”. We’re still tired and your body
doesn’t let you sleep that extra hour every day. You only end
up going to bed early and get up early.
 So
there was certainly no problem being awake to watch the ship
enter the New York shipping lanes and approach the Jersey
shore. Most of the guests were awake early for the sight that
we wanted to see most. There is no better way to approach NYC
than by water. The QM2 first passes under the Verazzano
Bridge, clearing it by a mere 3 meters (10 feet). News
helicopters circled the ship as we came up into the Hudson
River. It must be pretty good footage to see this ship go
under that bridge.
 The
Statue of Liberty is another 30 minutes up the river from the
bridge. She is more beautiful every time I see her. The guests
actually get excited at the sight of that famous monument, the
most visible symbol of our country. I can imagine how millions
of immigrants must have felt when they saw it after crossing
from Europe.
 Ellis
Island sits next to the Statue of Liberty. It has been
restored in recent years as a museum to those millions. The
Immigration Officers come on board out in the channel. They
were waiting for the 2600 passengers to stand in line and get
passports stamped. It caused most of us to miss seeing the
Manhattan skyline as we sailed toward our pier for docking.
The line went surprising fast but sure didn’t come at a
desirable time.
 We
carted our bags to the Queens Ballroom to wait for clearance
to leave the ship. It was no problem handling our own stuff
when you consider the time saving disembarking. At a taxi
stand we said out “goodbyes” to the Jackson’s. It’s always sad
to part company. The rental company was only about 10 blocks
away. My mother had made reservations through AAA at Hertz.
Avis didn’t have any cars available to rent one way to Toledo.
After crossing under the Hudson River through the Holland
Tunnel, we drove to Strasbourg, PA to spend the night with
Jennifer, JW’s oldest daughter. We thought it a good
opportunity to visit them before driving home to Ohio.
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